Evaluation of the analgesic effect of fentanyl–ketamine and fentanyl–lidocaine constant rate infusions in isoflurane-anesthetized dogs undergoing thoracolumbar hemilaminectomy

ObjectiveTo evaluate anesthetic conditions and postoperative analgesia with the use of intraoperative constant rate infusions (CRIs) of fentanyl–lidocaine or fentanyl–ketamine in dogs undergoing thoracolumbar hemilaminectomy.Study designProspective, randomized, blinded, clinical study.AnimalsA total of 32 client-owned dogs.MethodsDogs were premedicated with fentanyl (5 μg kg^–1) administered intravenously (IV), anesthesia was induced with IV alfaxalone and maintained with isoflurane. Fentanyl (0.083 μg kg^–1 minute^–1) was infused IV with either ketamine (0.5 mg kg^–1; then 40 μg kg^–1 minute^–1; group KF) or lidocaine (2 mg kg^–1; then 200 μg kg^–1 minute^–1; group LF) assigned randomly. Heart rate, noninvasive arterial pressures, respiratory rate, esophageal temperature, end-tidal partial pressure of carbon dioxide and isoflurane concentration were recorded throughout anesthesia. Maintenance of anesthesia, recovery and postoperative pain (Glasgow Composite Pain Scale) were scored. Cardiopulmonary data were analyzed using a two-way anova with repeated measures, demographics of the two groups with a t test, and scores with Mann–Whitney U test, with p < 0.05.ResultsAll dogs recovered from anesthesia without complications. No significant difference was found between groups for cardiopulmonary variables, total anesthesia time, sedation score and requirement for postoperative sedation or for rescue analgesia. Anesthetic maintenance score was of lower quality in KF than in LF [median (interquartile range): 0 (0–0.5) versus 0 (0–0); p = 0.032)], but still considered ideal. Recovery score was higher and indicative of less sedation in LF than in KF [1 (1–1.5) versus 0.5 (0–1); p < 0.0001]. Pain score was higher in KF than in LF [2 (1–3) versus 1 (1–2); p = 0.0009].Conclusions and clinical relevanceBoth CRIs of KF and LF provided adequate anesthetic conditions in dogs undergoing thoracolumbar hemilaminectomy. Based on requirement for rescue analgesia, postoperative analgesia was adequate in both groups.     

Efficacy of bovine herpesvirus-1 inactivated vaccine against abortion and stillbirth in pregnant heifers

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of an inactivated bovine herpesvirus-1 (BHV-1) vaccine to protect against BHV-1 challenge-induced abortion and stillbirth. DESIGN: Prospective study. ANIMALS: 35 beef heifers. PROCEDURES: Before breeding, heifers were vaccinated with a commercially available BHV-1 inactivated vaccine SC or IM. The estrous cycle was then synchronized, and heifers were artificially inseminated 30 to 60 days after vaccination. Heifers (n = 21) were challenge inoculated IV at approximately 180 days of gestation with virulent BHV-1. Fourteen control heifers were not vaccinated. Clinical signs of BHV-1 infection were monitored for 10 days following challenge; serologic status and occurrence of abortion or stillbirth were evaluated until time of calving. RESULTS: 18 of 21 (85.7%) heifers that received vaccine were protected from abortion following challenge, whereas all 14 control heifers aborted. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results indicated that an inactivated BHV-1 vaccine can protect against abortion resulting from a substantial challenge infection, with efficacy similar to that of modified-live BHV-1 vaccines.     

Irrigation scheduling of plastic greenhouse vegetable crops based on historical weather data

Irrigation scheduling based on the daily historical crop evapotranspiration (ET_h) data was theoretically and experimentally assessed for the major soil-grown greenhouse horticultural crops on the Almería coast in order to improve irrigation efficiency. Overall, the simulated seasonal ET_h values for different crop cycles from 41 greenhouses were not significantly different from the corresponding values of real-time crop evapotranspiration (ET_c). Additionally, for the main greenhouse crops on the Almería coast, the simulated values of the maximum cumulative soil water deficit in each of the 15 consecutive growth cycles (1988–2002) were determined using simple soil-water balances comparing daily ET_h and ET_c values to schedule irrigation. In most cases, no soil-water deficits affecting greenhouse crop productivity were detected, but the few cases found led us to also assess experimentally the use of ET_h for irrigation scheduling of greenhouse horticultural crops. The response of five greenhouse crops to water applications scheduled with daily estimates of ET_h and ET_c was evaluated in a typical enarenado soil. In tomato, fruit yield did not differ statistically between irrigation treatments, but the spring green bean irrigated using the ET_h data presented lower yield than that irrigated using the ET_c data. In the remaining experiments, the irrigation-management method based on ET_h data was modified to consider the standard deviation of the inter-annual greenhouse reference ET. No differences between irrigation treatments were found for productivity of pepper, zucchini and melon crops.     

Earthworm populations and growth rates related to long-term crop residue and tillage management

Conventional tillage creates soil physical conditions that may restrict earthworm movement and accelerate crop residue decomposition, thus reducing the food supply for earthworms. These negative impacts may be alleviated by retaining crop residues in agroecosystems. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of various tillage and crop residue management practices on earthworm populations in the field and earthworm growth under controlled conditions. Population assessments were conducted at two long-term (15+ years) experimental sites in Québec, Canada with three tillage systems: moldboard plow/disk harrow (CT), chisel plow or disk harrow (RT) and no tillage (NT), as well as two levels of crop residue inputs (high and low). Earthworm growth was assessed in intact soil cores from both sites. In the field, earthworm populations and biomass were greater with long-term NT than CT and RT practices, but not affected by crop residue management. Laboratory growth rates of Aporrectodea turgida (Eisen) in intact soil cores were affected by tillage and residue inputs, and were positively correlated with the soil organic C pool, suggesting that tillage and residue management practices that increase the soil organic C pool provide more organic substrates for earthworm growth. The highest earthworm growth rates were in soils from RT plots with high residue input, which differed from the response of earthworm populations to tillage and residue management treatments in the field. Our results suggest that tillage-induced disturbance probably has a greater impact than food availability on earthworm populations in cool, humid agroecosystems.     

China's role in the global forest sector: how will the US recovery and a diminished Chinese demand influence global wood markets?

Over the last decade, while the size of China's economy more than doubled, China has simultaneously become a major producer and exporter of forest products. Although China's domestic supply of wood is significantly constrained both by a limited natural supply and by conservation-oriented policies, the country is increasingly regarded as the world's “wood workshop.” Furthermore, China is the largest driver of demand for the trade in tropical logs and is becoming a significant driver of demand for trade in coniferous logs. In this paper, we describe a spatial equilibrium model adapted to study forest sector markets and policies that affect them. We present the model and the result of two alternative future scenarios. The first scenario analyzes the impact on global forest products markets of a US recovery in wood markets. The second scenario examines the effect on global forest products markets of decelerating growth in Chinese demand for wood products. Through these two scenarios, the modeling output sheds light on the role China's wood products markets have on resource supply and trade around the world. The trade model shows substantial potential changes in global prices, production, and trade activity associated with the recovery in domestic demand in the USA.     

Drought pretreatment increases the salinity resistance of tomato plants

Agricultural productivity is worldwide subjected to increasing salinity problems. Various strategies are applied to overcome the deleterious effects of salinity on plants. This study was conducted in order to determine whether drought pretreatment of seedlings or seed pretreatment with NaCl increases the long‐term salinity resistance of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) and whether the adaptive response to salinity is accompanied by physiological changes throughout the plant‐growth cycle. When plants were pretreated at the five‐leaf growth stage, the plant dry weight was significantly higher in drought‐pretreated than in non‐pretreated plants after 50 d of salt treatment. The positive effect of drought pretreatment applied at the five‐leaf stage was maintained throughout the entire growth cycle, as fruit yield of drought‐pretreated plants was 40% higher than that of non‐pretreated plants at the end of the harvest period (150 d of 70 mM NaCl treatment). Moreover, the most productive plants maintained lower Na⁺ and Cl^– accumulation in their leaves until the end of the growth cycle, which shows that adaptation is a long‐term response during which the plants adjust their physiology to the environmental conditions. Salt resistance was also improved through seed pretreatment with NaCl. In conclusion, drought pretreatment applied at the five‐leaf stage or seed pretreatment with NaCl provide an alternative way to enhance salt resistance in tomato, and the increase in yield is associated with physiological changes throughout the plant‐growth cycle.     

Antibacterial susceptibility patterns of Pseudomonas strains isolated from chronic canine otitis externa

Development of antibiotic resistance in bacteria is a problem of great concern. It is important to establish the convenience of antimicrobial susceptibility tests in animal infections. The aim of this study was to test the susceptibility to antibiotics of Pseudomonas strains isolated from chronic canine otitis externa. We tested 23 strains of Pseudomonas: 19 Ps. aeruginosa, three Ps. fluorescens and one Pseudomonas spp. The most effective antibiotics were tobramycin (100% susceptible), marbofloxacin (91.3%) and ceftazidime (91.3%). Ticarcillin and gentamicin, commonly used for the treatment of otitis externa also showed good results (susceptibility of strains was 86 and 65.2% respectively). Lower susceptibility was found using enrofloxacin (52.1%) probably due to its indiscriminate use. We emphasize the need for a rational policy of antibiotic prescribing in order to prevent the selection of resistant strains.     

Food, youth and the Mediterranean diet in Spain. Development of KIDMED, Mediterranean Diet Quality Index in children and adolescents

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate dietary habits in Spanish children and adolescents based on a Mediterranean Diet Quality Index tool, which considers certain principles sustaining and challenging traditional healthy Mediterranean dietary patterns. DESIGN: Observational population-based cross-sectional study. A 16-item Mediterranean Diet Quality Index was included in data gathered for the EnKid study (in which two 24-hour recalls, a quantitative 169-item food-frequency questionnaire and a general questionnaire about socio-economic, demographic and lifestyle items were administered). SETTING: Spain. SUBJECTS: In total, 3850 children and youths aged 2-24 years residing in Spain. RESULTS: Of the sample, 4.2% showed very low KIDMED index results, 49.4% had intermediate values and 46.4% had high index results. Important geographical differences were seen, with subjects from the Northeast showing the most favourable outcomes (52% with elevated scores vs. 37.5% of those from the North). Lower percentages of high diet quality were observed in low socio-economic groups, compared with middle and upper income cohorts (42.8%, 47.6% and 54.9%, respectively). Large cities had more positive results and only slight variations were seen for gender and age. CONCLUSIONS: The KIDMED index, the first to evaluate the adequacy of Mediterranean dietary patterns in children and youth, confirms that this collective is undergoing important changes, which makes them a priority target for nutrition interventions. Results challenge certain commonly perceived notions tied to income level, population size and diet quality.